We do not repay the Lord

References: Piper, Professionals, ch.7.

Scripture Reading

Romans 11:35–36 (ESV)

“Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

We often look for encouragement when we do kingdom work. Whether we’re praying for someone, or spending time and money in evangelism or discipleship, it’s quite common for us to lose traction.

There is a danger that accompanies a gratitude work ethic.

Definition: “God has done so much for you; now what will you do for Him?” “Jesus gave His life for you; now how much will you give to Him?”

Danger 1: Christian living becomes a picture of paying back the debt we owe to God.

Answer: Good deeds do not pay back grace; they borrow more grace. Every good deed we do in dependence on God does just the opposite of paying Him back; it puts us ever deeper in dept to His grace. And that’s exactly where God wants us to be through all eternity.

There aren’t any passages that explicitly state thanksgiving as a motive for obedience to God. There are thanksgiving offerings given, and there are passages where thanksgiving is implied as a reason to obey God. But we will not find a sentence that says, “Obey God because of gratitude.”

Perhaps the closest is Col. 3:17

Colossians 3:17 ESV

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

But even here, the thanksgiving is a by-product, a result of our obedience, not the cause of it. Thanksgiving is a natural response and result of us receiving salvation. But we need to be cautious in having thanksgiving as our primary motivating factor.